The Chairperson of Parliaments Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to ignore calls from the Liquor Forum in Gauteng to sell liquor during the lockdown.

The forum which claims to represent about 20,000 small businesses in Gauteng says it concerned the lockdown regulations introduced by government could be unconstitutional and therefore have no authority under law.

It’s threatening court action against Ramaphosa over the decision to ban the sale of alcohol during this period.

In a statement, Dhlomo says people who consume alcohol predispose themselves to become drunk.

“A person who is under the influence of alcohol has a poor sense of judgement for the environment, space and time. This lockdown period does not need people who have poor sense of judgement.”

Dhlomo says the committee commends Ramaphosa’s call which includes banning the sale of alcohol during the lockdown period.

Faizel Patel 

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)